State Legislature

4:10 pm

Wed April 3, 2013

Senate budget: More money for education, no 'loophole' closures

The mostly Republican majority in the Washington state Senate has unveiled its budget proposal. It would put $1 billion more into basic education without raising taxes. The spending blueprint released Wednesday contrasts sharply with what Gov. Jay Inslee proposed last week.

Like the governor, the Senate proposes to make a significant down payment on the Washington Supreme Court’s finding that the state isn’t adequately funding K-12 education. Some of the money would go to high poverty schools and to fund an expansion of all-day Kindergarten. The budget also proposes to give colleges and universities a $300 million boost in exchange for a 3 percent tuition break.

Unlike the governor, the Senate budget does not propose to extend expiring tax hikes or close tax exemptions.

“We need to get off this story line that we need more money for education," says Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom. "We have funded education in this budget. We have reprioritized education in this budget and no new revenue.”

The Senate budget would make a controversial cut to a program for the aged, blind and disabled. Some minority Democrats have signed onto the spending plan, but insist in end the final go-home budget deal will have to include some new revenue.

In a statement, Inslee called the Senate proposal “deeply flawed.” Next up, Washington House Democrats will roll out their budget proposal.